Passenger numbers at Orlando International Airport descending

Passenger traffic at Orlando International Airport plunged nearly 13 percent in September, as the nation's troubled economy continued choking off travel to Central Florida.

Figures released Friday showed that fewer than 2.1 million travelers arrived at or departed from OIA in September -- 380,000 fewer people than passed through the airport during the same month last year.

The figures show that a slump in travel to Orlando is deepening: September's 12.8 percent plunge was more than double the 6.3 percent year-over-year drop OIA recorded in August. And the numbers were released just days after a separate report revealed that Orlando hotel-room occupancy dropped nearly 12 percent last month.

Domestic travel has fallen particularly hard. A little fewer than 2 million domestic travelers used OIA in September, down nearly 15 percent from a year ago. International traffic remained a lone bright spot, rising nearly 19 percent to 161,000 travelers.

Airport officials had long expected a rough September after airlines imposed deep schedule cuts for the historically slow month.

Roughly 14 percent fewer seats were available on Orlando flights this September compared to last.

Most of those service cuts will remain in place through the end of the year. Scheduling data show capacity at OIA has shrunk 14 percent this month and is projected to be down 12 percent in both November and December.

OIA also has fallen behind Miami International Airport as the state's busiest airport. Miami has been more insulated from the downturn because it has a heavier mix of international service.

It recorded almost 2.4 million travelers in September, down just 3 percent from a year ago.

Orlando is still ahead for the year, with 27.6 million total passengers to Miami's 25.7 million.